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Low incidence of hepatitis C virus transmission between spouses: a prospective study
1Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
Insights
The annual risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission between spouses is low at 0.23%. Couples should be educated on prevention to mitigate cumulative risk over time.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Interspousal transmission of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is known but the annual risk is not well-defined.
- Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively determine the annual risk of HCV transmission between chronically infected individuals and their susceptible spouses.
- To quantify the incidence of HCV seroconversion within marital partnerships.
Main Methods:
- A long-term prospective study enrolled 112 index patients with chronic HCV and their anti-HCV seronegative spouses.
- Spouses were monitored annually for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) and HCV-RNA over a mean follow-up of 45.9 months.
Main Results:
- Only one spouse seroconverted over the study period, with evidence of acute hepatitis C.
- Genetic analysis confirmed HCV genotype 1b transmission with 98% sequence homology, indicating a shared isolate.
- The calculated annual risk of interspousal HCV transmission was 0.23%.
Conclusions:
- Interspousal transmission of HCV occurs at a low incidence.
- The cumulative risk of HCV infection within couples may increase over time.
- Education on HCV prevention strategies is recommended for couples affected by the virus.
Background:
Interspousal transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been documented; however, the annual risk of interspousal transmission remains unclear.
Methods:
A long-term prospective study to define the risk of interspousal transmission of HCV was conducted. One hundred and twelve index patients with chronic hepatitis C and their anti-HCV seronegative spouses were enrolled.
Results:
The mean follow-up period was 45.9 months. Antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) and HCV-RNA were tested for in each seronegative spouse every year. Seroconversion of anti-HCV occurred in only one spouse, 2 years after enrollment, with a concomitant acute hepatitis. This subject and his spouse were infected with HCV genotype 1b. Nucleotide sequence comparison of the hypervariable region of their HCV genomes showed a homology of 98%. Further phylogenetic analysis suggested that they had virtually the same isolate. Accordingly, the annual risk of interspousal transmission of HCV infection was 0.23% per year.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest a low incidence of interspousal transmission of HCV; however, the risk may be cumulative and such couples should be educated to avoid HCV infection from their spouses.